Kane scored twice to help England defeat Italy

Captain Harry Kane and midfielder Jude Bellingham both scored two goals, helping England beat Italy 3-1 to enter the Euro 2024 finals.

Scorers: Kane 32 (pen), 77, Rashford 57 - Scamacca 15

England have grown stronger with the maturity of Bellingham, and the high form of Kane. The 20-year-old midfielder won the penalty for the captain to equalize, before breaking through to set up Marcus Rashford for the second goal. Kane also passed the 60-goal mark for the "Three Lions", after 87 international matches.

Harry Kane jumps to celebrate his equalizer from the penalty spot. Photo: Guardian — Harry Kane jumps to celebrate his equalizer from the penalty spot against Italy at Wembley Stadium, London, England on the evening of October 17, 2023. Photo: *Guardian*

Italy are also making positive changes under new coach Luciano Spalletti, showing through the Napoli-inspired wing play of last season. The visitors' opening goal came from such a situation, when defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo climbed the right wing and crossed low. Davide Frattesi cut in but did not shoot, causing Harry Maguire to miss and not be able to clear the ball. Striker Gianluca Scamacca, who was inside, easily tapped the ball into an empty net from close range, with John Stones unable to get in to block it. However, the defending champions' progress was not enough to topple England at Wembley.

The goal spurred England on to attack, and they equalised in the first half. Midfielder Jude Bellingham was the inspiration for the crowd, who cheered every time he touched the ball. It was the 20-year-old who broke into the box and forced Di Lorenzo into a foul that gave Italy a penalty. Captain Harry Kane made no mistake as he fired the penalty into the right corner, fooling goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Bellingham is La Liga's top scorer this season, with eight goals for Real Madrid in an attacking midfield role. In England, his role is more defensive, but he does both well, as shown by his second goal. It was Bellingham who dived to retrieve the ball, then sprinted past his opponent before passing to the left to Rashford. The Man Utd striker used his speed to turn inside and shoot hard into the far corner as the away goalkeeper stood rooted to the spot.

Rashford's powerful shot helped England lead Italy 2-1. Photo: Guardian — Rashford's powerful shot helped England lead Italy 2-1. Photo: *Guardian*

Bellingham shone, but Kane was not to be outdone with a solo goal in the 77th minute. From a pass from center-back Marc Guehi, Kane pressed down, causing the visiting defender to miss the ball. Despite tripping, the home captain immediately got up and stretched to push the ball past center-back Giorgio Scalvini, facing the goalkeeper. Kane used his hand to push Alessandro Bastoni away to create space, then placed the ball in the near corner to score a double. The goal revealed the qualities of a sharp striker like Kane.

From the moment England scored the third goal until the end of the match, the Wembley crowd sang the lyrics of Que sera sera (What will be, will be). Because the three points against Italy helped the host team secure a place in the Euro 2024 finals with 16 points after six matches in Group C.

Italy is in danger of being eliminated with only 10 points from six matches, three less than Ukraine. However, Ukraine has only one more match against Italy, while Spalletti's team still has one more match against North Macedonia. Either way, the big match between Ukraine and Italy at the neutral Bay Arena, Germany, will determine the second team to advance in this group.

Competition list

England : Pickford, Walker, Stones (Guehi 63), Maguire, Trippier, Phillips (Henderson 70), Rice, Rashford, Bellingham (Grealish 85), Foden, Kane.

Italy : Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Scalvini, Acerbi (Bastoni 63), Udogie (Dimarco 63), Frattesi, Cristante, Barella, Berardi (Raspadori 78), Scamacca (Kean 63), El Shaarawy.

Hoang An

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